Valley shuts down to protest plight of detainees

Normal life has been affected in Kashmir in the wake of a shutdown by separatists to protest the alleged miserable condition of Kashmiri detainees in various jails in the country.

Normal life was affected in Kashmir on Saturday in the wake of a shutdown by separatists to protest the alleged miserable condition of Kashmiri detainees in various jails in the country.

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Public transport remained off the roads as markets and educational institutions were also closed. Attendance in government offices was thin because of the near total shutdown. Private transport, however, plied normally.

Syed Ali Shah Geelani, chairman of the hardline faction of the Hurriyat Conference, had called for the shutdown. The Kashmir Bar Association and other separatist groups had supported the call.

Reports reaching here from north Kashmir Baramulla, Kupwara and south Kashmir Anantnag, Pulwama, Kulgam and Shopian districts said the shutdown call evoked a partial response there.

Life in the central Badgam district was also partially affected.